Mandate 180 days of instructional time (six specific recommendations).

Cabell and Jefferson counties are studying the balanced calendar and looking at possible implementation.

Actions already underway

Convened a work group of districts interested in year-around school to study implications of 180 days of instruction and related personnel issues. The WVDE Game Changer brief includes virtual-learning resources, such as West Virginia Virtual School, onTarget, and Learn21, that present opportunities for 24/7 learning.

The WVDE is exploring the balanced calendar approach, which spreads the required days throughout the year to avoid student regression of learning.

WVBOE response

The WVBOE recognizes that a minimum of instructional time is critical, but stresses that the definition of instructional time needs to be expanded to include the capabilities of technology, 24/7 learning, authentic real world experiences, and learning outside the school walls and beyond the time constraints of the current school day.

Quality of instruction is not about time spent in seats, but engagement of students, resulting in increased academic achievement.

The Board recommends an alternative calendar, a balanced calendar, which takes a more innovative approach by reorganizing instructional time to provide more continuous learning.

Require all instructional days to contain at least the minimum number of hours in state Board policy.

The WVDE has drafted a proposal for transformed system of accountability and accreditation. The OEPA held stakeholder meetings around the state.

WVBOE response

The Board emphasizes that quality of instruction is not about time spent in seats, but engagement of students resulting in increased academic achievement. The WVBOE also recommends expanding the definition of instructional time to include technological environments, projects outside the standard time and place for school, and students working different paths toward competency demonstrations.

Reduce the number of staff support days to reflect the number of instructional days and an appropriate number of training days.

Currently, districts are already able to schedule 15 out-of-calendar days, non-paid, within the 200- and 180-day instructional term.

WVBOE response

The WVBOE agrees with the recommendation. Suggested strategies include the elimination of five Instructional Support and Enhancement (ISE) days with additional pay for teachers to meet on their own time for faculty senate meetings. This would enable county boards to provide five additional instructional days.

Revise Code to provide consequences to districts for not meeting 180 minimum days and hours per day threshold.